Owners must have good preventive maintenance to protect the value of their commercial properties. When it comes to plumbing, backflow issues can lead to serious issues. It not only disrupts business but it can also cause a variety of health issues. For more information on the matter, here’s why your property needs commercial backflow testing.
Commercial Backflow Testing: What Causes Backflow?
Backflow testing is an important preventive maintenance for commercial properties. It identifies problems with your plumbing system, specifically if there is backflow.
What is Backflow?
Backflow occurs when contaminated water flows back into the clean water supply. This happens at cross-connection points or where the pipes for potable and non-potable water meet.
Plumbers will install backflow prevention devices to keep potable water separate from the water that is drained, flushed, or contaminated with chemicals and dirt. Nevertheless, backflow issues can still occur, which is why it is important to have annual backflow testing.
Here are the two main reasons for backflow in a commercial property:
- Backsiphonage
Backflow can be due to backsiphonage or reduced pressure in the water distribution system. Backsiphonage may occur due to water main breaks, water pump failure, or the drawdown of firewater supply.
- Backpressure
Backflow can also be due to backpressure or increased pressure from a non-potable water source. Backpressure may be caused by heaters, coolers, boilers, manufacturing systems, or waste disposal.
Water normally flows from the public distribution system to homes, commercial buildings, and other private properties. Both backsiphonage and backpressure cause the water to flow the opposite way. As a result, contaminated water flows back to the distribution system via the cross-connection points.
Importance of Backflow Prevention for Commercial Properties
It is crucial to have backflow testing for commercial properties. Above anything else, it is mandated by law. For example, commercial backflow testing in Charlotte, NC is an annual requirement. Failure to comply with this mandate will result in fines and other sanctions from the government.
Here are other important reasons for commercial backflow prevention.
Backflow Cannot Be Detected
There are no visual indicators for backflow. You won’t know if your backflow prevention devices have stopped working, mainly because there are no color differences between contaminated water and clean water. There are changes in the water’s odor and taste but these are not immediately noticeable.
Your employees and clients may not realize they are using contaminated water until they start experiencing health issues. With backflow testing, commercial property owners can have peace of mind. It ensures that your backflow prevention devices are working and that there is no backflow.
Backflow Can Lead to Illnesses
Contaminated water may contain chemicals, pesticides, metals, and volatile organic compounds. There may also be biological contaminants like E.coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Giardia. Thus, exposure to or ingestion of contaminated water can lead to a variety of health issues including a burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, nausea, poisoning, excessive fatigue, fever, diarrhea, bloating, excessive gas, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Moreover, long-term exposure can cause chronic illnesses, life-threatening conditions, and even death. In the United States, long-term contaminated water was found to have caused hematuria, liver and kidney damage, and cancer.
Backflow Threatens Public Health
Backflow will not just affect the health of your employees, staff, or clients, but it can also spread to the entire community. By the time to identify backflow issues, irreparable damage may have already been done to the public water supply. There will be massive costs in repairing the damage caused by backflow. For the benefit of the community, each commercial property must do its job and have annual backflow testing.
Why Do You Need Professional Plumbing Services for Commercial Backflow Testing?
Backflow issues can be due to poor plumbing. An unlicensed or inexperienced plumber may not have the skills needed to properly install your backflow protective devices. They are also most likely uninsured so property owners won’t have protection from any potential damage.
To ensure that your backflow protection devices working properly, it’s best to hire a professional maintenance company for plumbing services. Here are the benefits of hiring a professional maintenance company.
- A professional maintenance company has a wide range of expertise — from backflow testing to hardware repair and regular inspections. You only need to contact them and they will take care of all your plumbing needs.
- Professional plumbers can conduct backflow testing quickly and efficiently. Depending on the size of your property, they may only need 30 minutes to an hour to get the job done.
- If there are backflow issues, a professional maintenance company will undertake the necessary repairs while causing the least possible disturbance to your daily business operations. They will be able to flush and clean your distribution system to prevent further backflow issues.
- The cost of commercial backflow testing from a professional maintenance company is minimal compared to what you may end up spending due to faulty backflow prevention devices, hospital bills due to water contamination, and fines from the government.
Commercial Backflow Testing is Good for Business and the Community at Large
Commercial backflow testing is a must for all properties that connect to the city’s water supply. You can protect your business by lessening your employees’ and clients’ exposure to contaminated water and thus, can avoid serious health risks. Not only that, but annual backflow testing also means being a responsible member of the community. Make sure to schedule your next commercial backflow testing to enjoy seamless business operations.
If you need professional backflow testing services in Charlotte, NC, consider Maintenance Specialists Inc. We are a trusted provider of commercial backflow testing and other essential plumbing services. Feel free to give us a call at 844.327.1986 or email us at sales@callmsi.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
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